A PA for a 50-person meeting and a line-array for a 5,000-person festival are both "sound hire", but they're very different jobs. These are the things that decide the price.
1. Audience size and space
The more people and the bigger the space, the more speakers and power you need for clear, even sound. Outdoor events need more again, because there are no walls to help.
2. Speech or live music
Speeches need clarity, not volume: a compact system like a pair of Yamaha DXR12s often does the job. Bands need subs, monitors and a bigger mixing desk. Most events sit somewhere in between.
3. Microphones
Each presenter, auctioneer or singer needs a mic. Wireless mics such as Sennheiser EW-D cost more than cabled ones, but they let people move and keep the stage tidy.
4. Mixing and playback
Laptop audio, walk-on music, videos and a band all need inputs on the desk. Digital desks over Dante handle complex shows; simple events need much less.
5. An engineer
Dry hire is cheaper, but someone has to set up, sound-check and ride the levels. For anything with speeches that matter, an engineer is worth it.
6. Venue, access and timings
Long carries, early starts and late finishes add crew time. Some venues also have sound limits we need to plan for.
Get the right system
Tell us the venue, numbers and what's happening, and we'll recommend a system and send a clear quote. See PA and sound hire or get in touch.
